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22 June 2012

Marian Baay reviews The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

I've been impatiently waiting for the release of The Colonel's Lady. As I became
to love Laura's previous books I was sure that I would not be disappointed with
this book!

Roxanna Rowan is traveling from Virginia to Kentucke to visit
her father who serves as an officer under Colonel McLinn. When she arrives at
Fort Endeavor she learns that her father was recently killed. She can't return
and has no other options than to stay in her father's cabin. Colonel Cassius
McLinn was with Roxanna's father when he died and promised him to take care of
Roxie.

While reading how their lives come together I imagined living in
the Fort with them. I could smell the odors, hear the people talking and
shouting, hear the bullets whistling, feel the winter cold and... feel the
chemistry between the colonel and his lady *sigh*. I was really there and
witnessed it all. Few authors can make me feel like I'm actually in the
story.This was a great read! Very well done, Laura!

GIVEAWAY: A paperback copy of this book will be going home with one of our commenters today. International visitors not included for this giveaway (sorry!) but are eligible for the pre-order giveaway of Laura's upcoming new release in ebook format (our second giveaway.)

81 comments:

Marian, great review. I love the way you describe could feel, smell and hear the action in this story. Sounds like another great book! Thanks for offering a giveaway!Nanceequiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Liked your descriptive review! Please sign me up for the drawing for the print copy! Historical Fiction is my favorite. I have not read books by Laura Frantz yet and would love to win this book. Thanks, Kathleenlanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

See? This is only one of the MANY reasons I love this blog -- it showcases ALL my favorite authors!!!

EXCELLENT review, Marian, and when you said, "Few authors can make me feel like I'm actually in the story," you nailed it!!

Laura is hands-down a master at setting mood and locale and, in fact, I wrote in my review of her debut book The Frontiersman's Daughter: "As a historical author myself, I find it rare to discover a novel like this where the setting is so well researched and written that it almost becomes another character, deep and richly drawn.

Quite simply, The Colonel's Lady ranks as one of the best if not THE BEST historical fiction I read last year and was at the top of my list UNTIL I read Laura's upcoming novel, Love's Reckoning. One of my lines from the my endorsement goes like this: "Not since Gone With the Wind have I read an epic novel that has stolen my heart, my breath, my sleep to such a jolting degree."

If anybody knows me at all, they know GWTW is my all-time favorite novel, so if I EVER put an author's novel in the same line as Margaret's, THAT'S a great book, trust me!! And quite frankly, ALL of Laura's are "great books" that are not just "great reads," but "great literature" that will bewitch and inspire beyond most other books you will read.

And don't even get me started on Laura herself -- one of my dearest friends in the business and one of God's greatest blessings to me.

GREAT REVIEW MARIAN! I just started reading this one and you are right, Laura does a marvelous job of pulling you into the story. I discovered that when I read "The Frontiersman's Daughter", another one of Laura's masterpieces.

Hello again, love to stop by and see the review for the day, this one is a fav as I came from Ky and like to read books written about the area. I have read some of Laura Frantz but not this one. thanks for sharing Marian..Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

Oh, so wonderful to see so many new faces/friends here and also dear familiar ones!! Your comments have made my day and the fact there are folks who haven't read my books but want to means so very much. AND JULIE!! You always know how to make me smile and lift me up! I'm incredibly thankful for your friendship and support and the fact that a writer of your caliber would read my own work and say such wonderful things. You are, simply put, in a league of your own. I wish for a million more Julies!!

And Marian, you have done so much for my books in your home country plus have blessed us so richly by getting to know us here in this corner of the CBA. You, Carrie, and Diana make quite a team!!

Faith, Hope, and Cherry Tea (love that tag, BTW;) - thanks for sharing your excitement about Love's Reckoning. I hope you enjoy Eden and Silas and Elspeth's story very much. Not too much longer now!

Pol - so happy to meet another Kentuckian here:) Like you, I enjoy reading books written about the area. Two of my favorite KY authors, if you've not read them, are Jan Watson and Ann Gabhart. They have a great Kentucky flavor and showcase KY history in special ways.

Patty - Bless you for picking up my books recently and wanting another in your TBR stack:) Mine is towering currently and I need more time!! I'll keep writing if you and others keep reading. Thanks so very much!

I'll check back in a wee bit later and then it's off to town with hubby for a bit!

TERESA, enjoy reading TCL! The Frontiersman's Daughter is one of my all-time favorite novels. Like you said it's a masterpiece! I haven't had the time to read the Dutch edition of TFD. Maybe this summer I'll find time for it.

Sorry, I'm late for my own anniversary party! I have a bit of a headache, and didn't want to get on the computer too early this morning! It LOOKS like everyone started without me. LOL!

Laura knows how much I love her AND her books...I mean who else would I write a hand written note to about how much I loved their book!? I just had to with The Frontiersman's Daughter; it was that good! And Laura and I have been fast friends ever since. I can't wait fot Love's Reckoning!

TERESA, you will enjoy The Colonel's Lady so much! But make sure to keep a fan on hand...you will need it during that ribbon scene--yowzah!

Gertie - SO wonderful to see you here! Thoughts and prayers with you. I know you're into the heat of summer now like the rest of the south while we're having one of the coldest summers on record here. But that doesn't stop us from reading, thank heavens! Thanks so much for your gracious words - and to Julie again, too, for hers. I'm really humbled by all the fuss here today:) Soon we'll have another book out - am still pinching myself! Praying you like Eden's story. It might have been my favorite to write!

Marian and Diana, So sorry to hear you're feeling not so good today. Prayers with you both. I sometimes struggle with vertigo, too, and it's no picnic. It means a lot that you'd come by here and take such time today!!

Wonderful review, Marian!! For a wonderful book! Don't enter me. I already have this prize on my bookshelf. I love how Laura has the ability to truly sweep me away to another time and place so that I'm completely unaware of my surroundings.. my whining cats, my hungry kids, even the time of day! Thank you, Laura. Lifting up prayers for Diana and Marian to get better! Love you all!!

Mrs. Tina, Oh, you sure bless me with such warm words! It's wonderful seeing you here and making such a memorable introduction. If we were closer I'd give you a big hug!! Some things even cyberland can't do! I'm so thankful you enjoy my stories. That's all a writer could ever ask for. God bless you.

I overlooked Teresa earlier and wanted to say I needed to include you in my coment to Diana, Carrie, and Marian:) Your reviews and presence here at OTT really make it shine. Thanks so much for all you do.

And Marian, Good night, dear friend! Praying your weekend is restful and bright!

I read The Frontiersman's Daughter at Julie's recommendation and enjoyed it! I'm in New Zealand so would love to be entered into the second drawing for the ebook of Love's Reckoning. Thank you! e dot johnsen at clear dot net dot nz

What fun to see one of my favorite historical Christian fiction authors featured on a blog. All of Laura Frantz's books are on my permanent shelf; or, as I call it, books to be read again and again! I love being transported back to the wilds of Old Kentuck (did I spell that correctly??). I'm sure I would not have wanted to live in that time period, but I sure love to "visit" the 18th century. The Colonel's Lady is a beautiful example of historical Christian fiction that transports the reader in to a special adventure with special characters that also includes a meaningful message. Please don't enter me in the drawing.

LAURA, I know I haven't been on much today, even tho it is MY anniversary celebration, but my reviews and I have been on all this week and I'm sure everyone is probably tired of me by now :)

Thank you, Laura, for being willing to surrender your pen to the Lord that we might get so much joy out of reading your books. Courting Morrow Little was such a blessed respite after my mom passed away, and even though we haven't mentioned much about her today, I will never forget Morrow and the light she brought to me during a very dark hour. I know there is alot about writing that is very difficult, but thank you from all of us that you bring so much joy and pleasure to. If you ever feel like quitting just think about all the "Dianas" needing another "Morrow" to help endure all of life's problems and stresses. Thank you, sweet lady.

ELIZABETH, trying to pick a favorite LAURA book, is like trying to pick out which of your children is your favorite. lol! But I'm with you--TFD was so enjoyable and I have to say it was one of my favorite Laura books to be sure, if not the favorite one!

MARY, you did the smart thing! I loaned mine out and alas, I only have one that made its way back to me. Oh well, hopefully alot of peeps got enjoyment out of them and still are!

I love the way you described about being transported to another place and time--I get so lost in Laura's books I forget where I am for awhile, and we all need that from time to time. Her books are like "Calgon take me away" moments.:)

Mary, Oh, you keep blessing me over and over - I just hope I can repay you in even a small way with my books. It means so much they're on your keeper shelf as you're a very discerning reader. Love that you find my stories transport you. That's my heart's wish. God bless you for your gracious words.

Diana, I'll never forget that Morrow was with you in a way I couldn't be (except through prayer) at that very difficult time. That means more than you know. God is so good to bring us together through our love of books!

Praying you're feeling better tonight. I so appreciate all you and Carrie and Marian and Teresa have done here for me and so many.